Rugby now official SA nr1
SA Rugby
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus named an exciting 51-man squad – featuring 21 uncapped players – on Saturday evening for the team’s first training camp of the season, starting in Johannesburg on Monday, with an eye on the double-header between the Boks and the Barbarians, as well as the clash between the SA ‘A’ team against Zimbabwe, in Gqeberha on Saturday, 20 June.
With the Vodacom Bulls players unavailable for selection after booking their place in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship final against Leinster, Erasmus selected a handful of junior players in his squad.
This group includes SA U20 players [b]Yaqeen Ahmed (flyhalf/centre), Danie Kruger (prop), Luan Giliomee (utility back), Vusi Moyo (flyhalf), Oliver Reid (prop), Liam van Wyk (hooker), as well as Junior Springbok captain Riley Norton (loose forward/lock), Siphosethu Mnebelele (hooker), Markus Muller (centre), and Zekhethelo Siyaya (utility back), [/b]all of whom were members of the expanded Springbok alignment camp squad.
The other uncapped players in the group are [b]Paul de Villiers (flanker), Bathobele Hlekani (utility forward), Hanro Jacobs (prop), Jurenzo Julius (utility back), Imad Khan (scrumhalf), JJ Kotze (hooker), Sibabalwa Mahashe (loose forward), Haashim Pead, Nico Steyn (both scrumhalves), Emmanuel Tshituka (flanker), and Jaco Williams (utility back)[/b]
The Japanese-based players who have completed their club commitments will join their teammates from the outset of the camp, while the UK-based players will report for duty once their season officially concludes in line with World Rugby’s Regulation 9.
The Springbok squad for the Nations Championship clashes against England (4 July), Scotland (11 July), and Wales (18 July), will be announced on Sunday, 21 June, following the conclusion of the Vodacom URC.
Erasmus was thrilled to get their on-field preparations underway with the Barbarians and SA ‘A’ game, which will play out in a fortnight, and he looked forward to seeing how the younger players adapt to the demands of senior international rugby.
“We named a large group of players as we will be selecting a Springbok and SA ‘A’ team for the season-opening double-header in Gqeberha, and this will be beneficial in the long term as we build the squad, looking forward to next year’s Rugby World Cup and beyond,” said Erasmus.
“There is also an exciting mix of experienced campaigners and young players in this squad, and this formula has worked well for us in the past to ensure a clear pathway to build depth within the group.”
Zooming in on the camp itself, Erasmus said: “The coaches have been working around the clock to put the systems in place in the last few months, and the in-person and virtual alignment camps have given most of the players a taste of what to expect, so it’s now a matter of implementing what they learned in the boardroom onto the field.
“We are under no illusions about the challenge ahead this season with two matches against the Barbarians and the SA ‘A’ team against Zimbabwe playing out on the same day, which will be followed by two new competitions in the Nations Championship and Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry, so it will be important for the group to build cohesion as quickly as possible and make the most of our field sessions and team meetings to be as well prepared as possible when we take the field.”
[b]Springbok squad (in alphabetical order):[/b]
Forwards: Lood de Jager (Wild Knights), Paul de Villiers (DHL Stormers), Ben-Jason Dixon (DHL Stormers), Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Eben Etzebeth (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Neethling Fouche (DHL Stormers), Bathobele Hlekani (Fidelity Securedrive Lions), Hanro Jacobs (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Vincent Koch (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Siya Kolisi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), JJ Kotze (DHL Stormers), Danie Kruger (DHL Stormers), Sibabalwa Mahashe (Fidelity Securedrive Lions), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Ntuthuko Mchunu (DHL Stormers), Siphosethu Mnebelele (Vodacom Bulls), Salmaan Moerat (DHL Stormers), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat), Ox Nche (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Riley Norton (DHL Stormers), Zachary Porthen (DHL Stormers), Oliver Reid (DHL Stormers), Evan Roos (DHL Stormers), Emmanuel Tshituka (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Vincent Tshituka (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Liam van Wyk (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Andre-Hugo Venter (DHL Stormers), Boan Venter (Edinburgh), Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks).
Backs: Yaqeen Ahmed (DHL Stormers) Lukhanyo Am (DynaBoars), Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles), Andre Esterhuizen (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Aphelele Fassi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Luan Giliomee (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Quan Horn (Fidelity Securedrive Lions), Jurenzo Julius (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Imad Khan (DHL Stormers), Cheslin Kolbe (Tokyo Sungoliath), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles), Manie Libbok (Kintetsu Liners), Vusi Moyo (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Markus Muller (DHL Stormers), Haashim Pead (Fidelity Securedrive Lions), Zekhethelo Siyaya (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Nico Steyn (Fidelity Securedrive Lions), Edwill van der Merwe (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers), Grant Williams (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Jaco Williams (Hollywoodbets Sharks).
9 days later
SA Rugby
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus and SA ‘A’ coach Mzwandile Stick named quality teams for their opening matches of the season against the Barbarians and Zimbabwe on Saturday in Gqeberha, with the teams being led by Siya Kolisi and Vincent Tshituka.
The SA ‘A’ team will take the field against Zimbabwe at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium at 12h00 on Saturday, which will be followed by the clash between the Springboks and Barbarians at 15h00. Both matches will be broadcast live on SuperSport.
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Both matchday squads feature a careful balance of capped internationals and a group of talented new players who have been knocking hard on the door this season, while a bunch of Junior Springbok players who will be representing the team at the Junior World Championship in Georgia will also get their first taste of senior international rugby.
The Springboks feature a total of 18 capped internationals, with the only two players in the starting lineup who have yet to make their Test debuts being Junior Bok captain Riley Norton (lock) and Carlu Sadie (prop), while the uncapped players among the replacements are JJ Kotze (hooker), Paul de Villiers (loose forward) and SA U20 flyhalf Vusi Moyo.
The backline has a strong international flavour to it with Aphelele Fassi, Cheslin Kolbe and Edwill van der Merwe forming the back-three, while Andre Esterhuizen and Jesse Kriel will combine in a hard-running midfield combination, and Quan Horn will take over the No 10 jumper alongside Grant Williams at halfback.
Up front, Ox Nche and Sadie will form a front row trio with Andre-Hugo Venter, while Norton and Franco Mostert will run the engine room, and the familiar loose trio of Kolisi, Pieter-Steph du Toit and Jasper Wiese completing the forward pack.
The replacements bench, which features six forwards and two backs, will see Kotze, Ntuthuko Mchunu and Zachary Porthen serve as the back-up front row, while Ben-Jason Dixon, De Villiers and Evan Roos will provide additional forward reinforcement. The two backline players on the bench are Faf de Klerk and Moyo.
Erasmus was pleased with the quality of the team he announced as injuries and enforced rest for certain players resulted in him having to tweak a few player combinations.
“We said from the outset that we wanted to give a few players returning from injury and others who have been playing overseas game time in this match, while at the same time exposing some of the younger players on our radar to top-class international rugby, and we believe this squad reflects those objectives,” said Erasmus.
“We have been very impressed with the way the new players have jumped straight into action and grasped our systems and structures, and we are excited to see what they can do alongside some of our regular Springbok players, as we build for what will be a challenging season with the Nations Championship and Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series approaching.”
Of the Barbarians, Erasmus said: “They have a group of exciting and experienced players in their squad, and they’ll come out guns blazing and try to produce an entertaining style of rugby, which will serve as a good test for us. They will challenge us, but this will be a good hit-out for our players to get back into top-level international rugby, with the England match a little over two weeks ago.
“That said, they are always a tough side to analyse because they have players from all around the world, and a quality coaching team, who will set high standards for them, so it will be important for us to focus on our game and what we would like to achieve.”
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Stick, meanwhile, named a talented young SA ‘A’ side, who will have the luxury of relying on a group of senior players such as Lukhanyo Am (centre), Boan Venter (prop), Phepsi Buthelezi (No 8), Tshituka (lock) and Neethling Fouche (prop), who will be supported by an exciting group of youngsters including Luan Giliomee, Jaco Williams, and Zekhethelo Siyaya in the back three.
Markus Muller, meanwhile, will partner up with Am in the midfield, with halfbacks Yaqeen Ahmed and Haashim Pead dictating play at halfback.
Stick, who will double up as the Springbok assistant coach, also named a physical pack, with loose forwards Buthelezi, Bathobele Hlekani, Emmanuel Tshituka – the brother of Vincent Tshituka, who will run the lineouts with Van Heerden – and a strong front row combination of Fouche, Boan Venter (both props) and SA U20 hooker Siphosethu Mnebelele.
The SA ‘A’ coach also named a strong bench, featuring the front row of Liam van Wyk (hooker), and props Oliver Reid and Hanro Jacobs, while Adre Smith, who joined the squad on Sunday, will provide further forward back-up with Siba Mahashe.
The three backline players among the replacements are Nico Steyn, Imad Khan, and Jurenzo Julius.
“I’m looking forward to seeing what this group of players can do against a determined Zimbabwe outfit, who have qualified for the 2027 World Cup, and will undoubtedly use this opportunity to test themselves against us as they prepare for the international spectacle,” said Stick.
“The young players and uncapped guys have really slotted in well in the last week, and one can sense the excitement among them to take the field.
“This match will provide fantastic senior international exposure for them, and for Zimbabwe as well, and I believe they have the goods to play an exciting brand of rugby, which will be great for the coaches to assess our depth as we not only build for this season, but with an eye on the RWC next year as well.”
Of Zimbabwe, Stick said: “They have a settled team, and they have good coaches, so they will throw everything at us, and we need to be ready for that. The keys for us this weekend will be to stick to our structures and for the individuals to use the talent that earned them selection for this group, so we are looking forward to seeing what they deliver on the field.”
The teams will wrap up their main training block in Johannesburg on Wednesday, before departing for Gqeberha later in the afternoon.
Springbok team to face the Barbarians in Gqeberha:
15 Aphelele Fassi
14 Cheslin Kolbe
13 Jesse Kriel
12 Andre Esterhuizen
11 Edwill van der Merwe
10 Quan Horn
9 Grant Williams
8 Jasper Wiese
7 Pieter-Steph du Toit
6 Siya Kolisi (captain)
5 Franco Mostert
4 Riley Norton
3 Carlu Sadie
2 Andre-Hugo Venter
1 Ox Nche
Replacements:
16 JJ Kotze
17 Ntuthuko Mchunu
18 Zachary Porthen
19 Ben-Jason Dixon
20 Paul de Villiers
21 Evan Roos
22 Faf de Klerk
23 Vusi Moyo
SA ‘A’ team to face Zimbabwe in Gqeberha:
15 Luan Giliomee
14 Jaco Williams
13 Markus Muller
12 Lukhanyo Am
11 Zekhethelo Siyaya
10 Yaqeen Ahmed
9 Haashim Pead
8 Phepsi Buthelezi
7 Bathobele Hlekani
6 Emmanuel Tshituka
5 Ruben van Heerden
4 Vincent Tshituka (captain)
3 Neethling Fouche
2 Siphosethu Mnebelele
1 Boan Venter
Replacements:
16 Liam van Wyk
17 Oliver Reid
18 Hanro Jacobs
19 Adre Smith
20 Siba Mahashe
21 Nico Steyn
22 Imad Khan
23 Jurenzo Julius
Some surprises in the Bok team. Riley Norton, SA u20 captain haven't played URC. Quan Horn in 10.
Oliver Reid is important. He got English citizenship aswell. Played well for the Stormers in a few URC matches. Great LH fatty
@akan004 said in Springboks:
Smart move to capture these young players by naming them in the Boks and the SA A team.
Why doesn't NZR do something like this?
NZR made a very conscious decision to not capture eligibility with the ABs XV.
BARBARIANS – 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Andrew Kellaway, 13 Virimi Vakatawa, 12 Alex Nankivell, 11 Duhan van der Merwe, 10 Tomás Albornoz, 9 TJ Perenara (c), 8 Miracle Fai’ilagi, 7 Lachlan Boshier, 6 Guido Petti, 5 Alex Moon, 4 Franco Molina, 3 D’Arcy Rae, 2 Elliot Dee, 1 Mayco Vivas.
Bench: 16 Leonel Oviedo, 17 Oli Kebble, 18 Pedro Delgado, 19 Izack Rodda, 20 Liam McConnell, 21 Santiago Arata, 22 Harry Plummer, 23 Tuidraki Samusamuvodre.
@Mr-Fish said in Springboks:
@akan004 said in Springboks:
Smart move to capture these young players by naming them in the Boks and the SA A team.
Why doesn't NZR do something like this?
NZR made a very conscious decision to not capture eligibility with the ABs XV.
Don't understand the logic behind it.
@akan004 said in Springboks:
@Mr-Fish said in Springboks:
@akan004 said in Springboks:
Smart move to capture these young players by naming them in the Boks and the SA A team.
Why doesn't NZR do something like this?
NZR made a very conscious decision to not capture eligibility with the ABs XV.
Don't understand the logic behind it.
I imagine they don't want to prevent PI players who play a game or two for the XV from playing for the islands.
Springbok squad
Props: Thomas du Toit (Bath), Wilco Louw (Bulls), Ntuthuko Mchunu (Stormers), Ox Nche (Sharks), Zachary Porthen (Stormers), Carlu Sadie (Bordeaux Bègles), Gerhard Steenekamp (Bulls), Boan Venter (Edinburgh).
Hookers: Johan Grobbelaar (Bulls), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Andre-Hugo Venter (Stormers).
Locks: Lood de Jager (Wild Knights), Eben Etzebeth (Sharks), Ruan Nortje (Bulls), Ruben van Heerden (Stormers).
Loose forwards: Paul de Villiers (Stormers), Ben-Jason Dixon (Stormers), Cameron Hanekom (Bulls), Siya Kolisi (Sharks), Evan Roos (Stormers), Vincent Tshituka (Sharks), Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks).
Utility forwards: Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat), Riley Norton (Stormers), Marco van Staden (Bulls), Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Bulls), Cobus Wiese (Bulls).
Scrumhalves: Embrose Papier (Bulls), Herschel Jantjies (Bayonne), Cobus Reinach (Stormers), Grant Williams (Sharks).
Flyhalves: Manie Libbok (Kintetsu Liners), Vusi Moyo (Sharks), Handre Pollard (Bulls).
Centres: Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Andre Esterhuizen (Sharks), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles).
Outside and utility backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse (Bulls), Aphelele Fassi (Sharks), Quan Horn (Lions), Cheslin Kolbe (Tokyo Sungoliath), Canan Moodie (Bulls), Edwill van der Merwe (Sharks), Jaco Williams (Sharks), Damian Willemse (Stormers).
A player like SFM played the same amount of urc matches compare to James Lowe despite being injured and compulsory rest period for SA players. Our test season only start now while the NH players break from July/Aug. That force Rassie to manage his Springbok players. You can 3xpect a total different team for Scotland and Wales
Only 21000 tickets sold for England at Ellispark. 50th test coming up first Kolbey and Willemse.
@Rugbyman Louw’s father passed away in April after a long illness, while the 31-year-old is also moving his family back to Cape Town from Pretoria after signing for the Stormers.
“Wilco has had a tough time,” Erasmus said. “Without getting into his personal life, there was illness in the family, there was a family bereavement, he was ill for one game and he’s had a tough five or six weeks.
“We just feel Wilco needs one week to settle down a little bit. We think his body has taken some hammering over the last couple of weeks, so that’s the reason.
“Thomas starting is quite solid for us at tighthead, and Zach coming off the bench gives us someone who’s really mobile. He’s really impressed in the scrum sessions.”
@OomPB said in Springboks:
@Rugbyman Louw’s father passed away in April after a long illness, while the 31-year-old is also moving his family back to Cape Town from Pretoria after signing for the Stormers.
“Wilco has had a tough time,” Erasmus said. “Without getting into his personal life, there was illness in the family, there was a family bereavement, he was ill for one game and he’s had a tough five or six weeks.
“We just feel Wilco needs one week to settle down a little bit. We think his body has taken some hammering over the last couple of weeks, so that’s the reason.
“Thomas starting is quite solid for us at tighthead, and Zach coming off the bench gives us someone who’s really mobile. He’s really impressed in the scrum sessions.”
Wise decision. English will be relieved.
Wilco’s being denied wors & biltong & being forced to watch videos of the 96 tour clockwork orange style by large kiwi-accented men in Camp abu staaldraad.
Should be good come the revenge tour.
The players not playing yesterday
Springbok squad
Props: Wilco Louw (Bulls), Ntuthuko Mchunu (Stormers), Carlu Sadie (Bordeaux Bègles), Boan Venter (Edinburgh).
Hookers: Johan Grobbelaar (Bulls), Andre-Hugo Venter (Stormers).
Locks: Lood de Jager (Wild Knights), Ruben van Heerden (Stormers).
Loose forwards: Evan Roos (Stormers), Vincent Tshituka (Sharks),
Utility forwards: , Franco Mostert , Cobus Wiese (Bulls).
Scrumhalves: Embrose Papier (Bulls), Herschel Jantjies (Bayonne),
Flyhalves: Vusi Moyo (Sharks), Handre Pollard (Bulls).
Outside and utility backs: Aphelele Fassi (Sharks), Quan Horn (Lions), Edwill van der Merwe (Sharks), Jaco Williams (Sharks)
Geez with the the news of this young kis Pratt being caught,this is getting to be problem isn't it? Is it because there a bit more drug use, or just the fact that they have a real good testing policy in SA?
@Dan54 said in Springboks:
Geez with the the news of this young kis Pratt being caught,this is getting to be problem isn't it? Is it because there a bit more drug use, or just the fact that they have a real good testing policy in SA?
@antipodean can’t be true surely not !